Cavaliers 2014-15 Schedule Preview

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The Knicks re-signed Carmelo Anthony in the offseason and he and LeBron will square off in their 22nd all-time regular season meeting -- the Homecoming King's first game back in the wine and gold. But the season opener also represents the official start of the Phil Jackson-Derek Fisher alliance in the Big Apple. The Knicks' only appearance at The Q this season is on October 30.

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Despite being the top pick in the 2012 Draft, New Orleans big man Anthony Davis is one of the best-kept secrets in the NBA. "The Brow" brings his Pelicans to The Q on November 10.

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Jeff Teague propelled the Hawks to unexpected heights in last year's postseason. Danny Ferry continues to build Atlanta, which added Thabo Sefolosha in the offseason and gets a healthy Al Horford back in 2014-15. The Hawks come to Cleveland on November 15 and December 17.

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The Manimal and his high-flying Denver Nuggets roll into town early -- November 17. The Cavaliers will face Kenneth Faried and Co. twice within the first nine games of the season.

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The World Champs come to town on November 19. There's probably someone on the Cavaliers roster who can't wait to play them.

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Kyle Lowry returned to Toronto this offseason, giving Canadians renewed hope after an unexpected postseason run in 2013-14. Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, Jonas Valanciunas and the up-and-coming Raptors rumble into Cleveland on November 22 and December 9.

Athletic rookie Aaron Gordon joins last year's top pick, Victor Oladipo, to make Orlando one of the most explosive young teams in the league. Along with Tobias Harris and Nikola Vucevic, the Magic have some real building blocks for the future. They make their lone visit to The Q on November 24.

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The backcourt combination of Bradley Beal and John Wall is as tough as any in the East. Add the frontcourt duo of Nene and Marcin Gortat and you've got one of the toughest teams in the Conference. The Wizards will look to renew the rivalry when they come to Cleveland on November 26 and again on Fan Appreciation Night, the home finale -- April 15.

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Though the Pacers haven't been able to close the deal in the East these past two seasons, they still have one of the best big men duos in the Conference with David West and Roy Hibbert. Losing Paul George will hurt, but it'd be foolish to count out the rough-and-tumble Pacers, who come to The Q on November 29 and again on March 20.

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The second overall pick in this June's Draft, Jabari Parker hopes to team with the Greek Freak and return Milwaukee to Eastern Conference relevance. The Cavs welcome their Central Division foes to Cleveland on December 2 and again on New Year's Eve.

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The Bobcats are now the Hornets, but by any name, the prized big man -- Al Jefferson -- is a load in the low post. With a revamped roster stacked with first-round talent plus the addition of Lance Stevenson, the Hornets could sting some squad in the Eastern Conference this year. Charlotte comes to The Q on December 15 and January 23.

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Can future Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett make one more title run with the Nets? After an up-and-down year in 2013-14, Brooklyn looks to get a healthy Brook Lopez back in business. Jarrett Jack, Sergey Karasev and Co. come to town on December 19 and March 18.

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Despite being a postseason fixture in the West and having arguably the best frontcourt tandem in the league, the Grizzlies don't get much respect. Memphis brings its dynamic duo to Cleveland for a Sunday afternoon matchup on December 21.

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The flashy Ricky Rubio will try to finally get Minnesota over the postseason hump in the Western Conference. The Timberwolves come to Cleveland on Tuesday night, December 23.

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Andre Drummond -- along with Moose Monroe and Josh Smith -- compose one of the toughest frontcourts in the East, and they'll try to return the Pistons to their golden days in 2014-15. The Cavaliers welcome their former postseason rivals to The Q on December 28 and again on April 13, the second-last game of the season.

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Mark Cuban wants to get Dirk Nowitzki one more shot at the title before the future Hall of Famer hangs 'em up. The new-look Mavericks come to Cleveland for a Sunday afternoon matinee on January 4.

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James Harden and Dwight Howard -- plus the recently-acquired Trevor Ariza -- will help Houston make another run in the highly-competitive Western Conference. The Rockets crash into The Q on January 7.

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The addition of free agent Pau Gasol -- plus a healthy Derrick Rose -- could finally give the Bulls the offensive firepower to match their defensive tenacity. Along with Joakim Noah, Jimmy Butler, Taj Gibson and rookie Doug McDermott, the Bulls could make some major noise in the East this year. The Bulls make a pair of nationally-televised appearances at The Q -- first on January 19 and secondly in an Eastern Sunday matinee.

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Dante Exum highlights a strong rookie class for Utah heading into the season. With Trey Burke, Gordon Hayward and Derrick Favors already in the mix, the Jazz might just be building something under the radar in Salt Lake City. They make their single trip to Cleveland on January 21.

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Maybe the Association's best 1-2 punch, Russell Westbrook and the league's reigning MVP, Kevin Durant, have one goal this season: getting back to the NBA Finals. The heavyweight Thunder rumble into Cleveland for a Sunday afternoon affair on January 25.

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After making noise in the Western Conference Playoffs last spring, LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard are ready to roll up their sleeves and get back to work this season. The Blazers come to Cleveland on January 28.

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DeMarcus Cousins has improved every year in the league and the tempestuous big man looks to make another leap this season. He and the Kings make their lone appearance at The Q on January 30.

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After taking home Rookie of the Year honors last season, Michael Carter-Williams needs Philly to get a pair of young big men healthy before his squad returns to Eastern Conference relevance. The Cavs welcome the Sixers to The Q on Groundhog's Day, February 2 and then again on February 2. (Just kidding. The second meeting is March 29.)

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After an odd ending to last season, the star-studded Clippers are locked and loaded for another Western Conference run. Stars or no stars -- doesn't matter to the Cavaliers, who have beaten the Clips in 11 of their last 12 visits to The Q. Blake Griffin, CP3 and DeAndre Jordan try to reverse the curse on February 5.

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Sunday, February 8, 3:30 p.m.

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Despite losing LeBron James, the Heat remain dangerous contenders in the East -- having added Danny Granger and Luol Deng over the summer. The four-time reigning Eastern Conference Champs come to Cleveland on February 11 and again on April 2.

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Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and the high-octane Warriors splash down in Cleveland on February 26 -- a nationally-televised affair following a four-game road trip for the Wine and Gold.

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As the Celtics continue to retool through the Draft, rugged guard Marcus Smart will look to make his mark in Beantown. Smart, Rajon Rondo and Kelly Olynyk don't come to The Q until late in the season -- on March 3 and again on April 10.

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The league's Most Improved Player, Goran Dragic, led maybe the league's most improved team -- certainly its most surprising -- in 2013-14. Jeff Hornacek's Suns reloaded in the Draft and will try to prove last season wasn't a fluke. Phoenix makes its sole stop in C-Town on March 7.